How to Treat a Bee Sting
Bee stings can cause different reactions in each sufferer. Then, how to treat a bee sting? To treat bee stings, proper handling and medication are needed so that the symptoms that appear can subside.
In most cases, bee stings are harmless and can be treated independently at home. However, for some people who have an allergy to bee stings, the allergic reaction that appears can be quite severe and even if not treated immediately can be potentially life threatening.
Therefore, the handling and treatment of someone affected by a bee sting needs to be adjusted to the reaction or symptoms that appear. If the reaction experienced after being stung by a bee is quite severe, then treatment measures must be immediately carried out by a doctor directly.
Bee Sting Reaction Symptoms
When a bee stings, the bee will inject venom into the skin through the stinger. In each person, this can cause a different reaction. The symptoms that are felt vary, some are mild some can cause a severe allergic reaction.
Usually a bee sting causes mild symptoms in the form of pain or stinging, accompanied by redness and swelling at the part of the bee sting. Sometimes, bee stings can also cause itching. Generally these symptoms only last for a few hours and will subside on their own.
Conditions that are classified as more severe are usually characterized by the appearance of inflammation and swelling in the part affected by the sting. Although not a severe allergic reaction, these symptoms can be quite annoying and will usually heal in about 5 -10 days.
Some people who are stung by bees can experience a severe allergic reaction, namely anaphylactic shock. Although this is rare, a person who has an anaphylactic reaction to a bee sting will be more at risk of developing severe symptoms that can be life-threatening. Some of the symptoms of anaphylactic shock include the following:
- Swelling of the lips, tongue and throat so that it can make shortness of breath.
- Breath has sound.
- The voice became hoarse.
- Weak and fast pulse.
- The skin becomes red and itchy.
- Dizzy.
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
- Loss of consciousness.
Anaphylaxis from a bee sting is a serious medical condition and requires immediate medical attention.
How to Treat a Bee Sting
How to treat a bee sting first aid is to remove the stinger attached to the skin using the tip of a fingernail or tweezers. The goal is that exposure to toxic substances from stings that enter the skin can stop.
Try not to press the skin when removing the bee sting that is stuck in the skin. It is intended that the poison in the sting does not enter the skin more.
After the bee sting has been removed, wash the sting area with clean water and a chemical soap to reduce the absorption of the venom. After that, give a cold compress using ice wrapped in a cloth so that the pain and swelling can be reduced.
Next, you can use the following remedies to treat bee stings:
1. Medicine for pain relief
To reduce pain and swelling due to bee stings, you can also take pain relievers such as paracetamol. Preferably use according to the dosage listed on the package. If the symptoms of a bee sting have disappeared, you should stop using it.
2. Ointment
Bee stings can cause swelling, redness and itching of the skin due to irritation of the toxic substances from bee stings. How to treat a bee sting swelling and rand relieve itching can apply bee sting medicine in the form of hydrocortisone ointment or calamine lotion.
3. Allergy medicine
If swelling, redness and itching do not improve, then you can use allergy medicine or antihistamine drugs. Some of these drugs are sold in pharmacies, but there are also those that can only be obtained through a doctor's prescription.
If a bee sting causes serious symptoms or an anaphylactic reaction, then you should immediately go to the nearest health center or hospital to get checked and get the right treatment.
In the treatment of bee stings that cause serious symptoms, doctors will usually install a breathing apparatus through the throat to provide oxygen. In addition, the doctor will also provide medicines and fluids through an IV. The type of drug given can be in the form of corticosteroid injections, antihistamines, or epinephrine.
Also read articles about: How to Treat a Swollen Wasp Sting
How to Treat a Bee Sting At Home
In addition to the several methods of treatment above, there are also natural ingredients that can be used to treat bee stings at home. However, this can only be used if the symptoms experienced are relatively mild. The natural ingredients that can be used are as follows:
1. Honey
Honey can help heal wounds, pain, and itching caused by bee stings because honey has an anti-inflammatory effect. How to use honey to treat bee stings is quite easy, namely by applying honey to the part of the bee sting.
2. Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is believed to help neutralize toxins from bee stings. How to use it is by soaking a cloth or bandage in vinegar first, then attaching it to the part of the skin that was stung by the bee.
3. Toothpaste
Some people believe that toothpaste is also able to neutralize the poison caused by bee stings. The way to use it is quite easy, namely by applying a little toothpaste on the part that was stung by the bee.
4. Baking soda powder
Applying a paste or cream made of baking soda and water is also believed to help neutralize the venom from bee stings.
However, please note that the effectiveness of these natural ingredients still needs further research. Therefore, in treating bee stings, you should prioritize using bee sting medicine, such as using pain relievers, topical calamine lotion or hydrocortisone ointment, and allergy medications.
If the symptoms of bee stings do not subside or may get worse despite using medicine for bee stings, then immediately consult a doctor at the nearest clinic, health center, or hospital. That's an explanation of how to treat a bee sting, hopefully it can be useful.
